Big Fish Blog » Game Newshttp://www.bigfishgames.com/blog
Free game downloads available from Big Fish Games.Fri, 09 Dec 2016 19:05:12 +0000en-UShourly1Lifeline 2 is Now Available on Android!http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/lifeline-2-is-now-available-on-android/
http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/lifeline-2-is-now-available-on-android/#commentsFri, 20 Nov 2015 22:08:55 +0000http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/?p=33700Have you been itching to help Arika on her quest on your Android device? Now’s your chance! Lifeline 2 is now available on Android. In [...]

]]>Have you been itching to help Arika on her quest on your Android device? Now’s your chance! Lifeline 2 is now available on Android. In this sequel to the smash hit, Lifeline, the player enters an alternate reality of magic and mystery.

Lifeline 2, like it’s predecessor, is a real-time pick your path adventure. Players receive notifications on their devices as though they’re really communicating with Arika, like a voice from another world. They guide her through a journey to save her brother and seek retribution for the tragic events that plagued her family years before.

Here are some of the things people are saying:
The story line is as well thought out as the first in fact I’d say it’s even a little better at least thus far

Extraordinary, Supernatural, and Confounding

I do enjoy these stories, game is not the right term for them. It’s more like getting caught up in a good book where you almost feel like you’re part of the story, yet now you are.

Check out this preview for for Lifeline 2 to get into the tone of the game before playing:

Once you’ve done that, you should definitely play through the Pick Your Path adventure we created right here on the blog for the release of the first Lifeline Game on Android. You can find that Here.

]]>http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/lifeline-2-is-now-available-on-android/feed/0A New Wave of Farming: Sunken Secrets is Now Available!http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/a-new-wave-of-farming-sunken-secrets-is-now-available/
http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/a-new-wave-of-farming-sunken-secrets-is-now-available/#commentsThu, 15 Oct 2015 17:32:25 +0000http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/?p=32885Here at Big Fish we’ve seen a lot of great mobile game releases in the last few months (not the least of these were Dungeon [...]

Here at Big Fish we’ve seen a lot of great mobile game releases in the last few months (not the least of these were Dungeon Boss and Lifeline 2). That trend continues with the release of Sunken Secrets (available today in the iTunes App Store), the game that will quickly find a place in your favorite games list. We’re so proud of how this game has come together. The gameplay is infectious and combines farming strategies with building, repairing, trading and magic collection. The artwork is also another great part of Sunken Secrets. It is skillful and enchanting, utilizing bright colors and and memorable characters.

In Sunken Secrets players assist Princess Luisa as she battles an evil sea witch (and her evil minions) to break a curse and raise the lands of a submerged island. In order to restore the beauty of the island you must farm, mine, build, repair structures, and restore a thriving trade route. You have the assistance of local magic folks as well as the option to connect with friends over Facebook.

Here is a word from Chris George, Vice President and Executive of Big Fish’s Triton Studios team, “This isn’t the farming game you see in app stores now. Sunken Secrets stands alone in that there is always something for the player to uncover. There is more than just farming, cooking, making and using resources. Instead, the game mechanics of magic collection and magic usage really allows the player to create their own one-of-a-kind simulation experience. [...] In every sense of the word, Sunken Secrets really is magical.”

There’s not much to dislike in the newest game from Big Fish. Wizards and pandas (with more colorful characters rumored to show up in future updates) wander the streets of your island freely. Townsfolk lend a hand and celebrate each of your successes with cheers and balloons. Join your new friends for a few minutes or a few hours. There’s always something new to do and see.

If you’ll give it a chance and a download, we’re convinced you’ll love the world of Sunken Secrets as much as we do.

]]>http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/a-new-wave-of-farming-sunken-secrets-is-now-available/feed/0How the Microsoft HoloLens Will Become the Future of Personal Computinghttp://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/microsoft-hololens/
http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/microsoft-hololens/#commentsFri, 30 Jan 2015 01:05:12 +0000http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/?p=28144Microsoft announced its heavyweight contender in the wearable technology market: the HoloLens. And despite the proof of concept, it’s creating a lot of skepticism in [...]

]]>Microsoft announced its heavyweight contender in the wearable technology market: the HoloLens. And despite the proof of concept, it’s creating a lot of skepticism in its wake.

The Rise (and fall) of Wearable Technology

Wearable technology has been getting a considerable amount of press in the last few years after the announcement, availability, and demise of Google Glass. Despite its failure to launch, Glass was an important milestone in the evolution of wearable technology. It not only captured our imagination but it proved that such a technological promise is possible (even if we decide it’s not for us).

Paralleling the release of Google Glass was the development of Oculus Rift, riding the front of the virtual reality wave. The Oculus Rift has the potential of being the most viable mass-market VR device in an industry that was struggling to bring an affordable and effective solution to everyone.

But like we saw at CES 2015, competitors are already flooding the marketplace with early models that are trying to battle Oculus Rift head-to-head in the virtual reality market. Some competitors realize “just another virtual reality goggle” isn’t going to cut it: Samsung is working with Oculus Rift to develop goggles that use your mobile phone as the screen, and gaming peripheral company Razer has plans to open-source virtual reality development to the masses with their OSVR (Open Source Virtual Reality, of course).

Microsoft isn’t merely putting a shiny veneer on yet another virtual reality goggle. In fact, they’re not even making a virtual reality goggle: they’re creating technology designed to integrate with the world around you.

How the HoloLens Could Win: It Isn’t “Virtual Reality”

Oculus Rift and every proposed VR headset is designed to transport the user to another world by enveloping their eyes in an opaque screen that monopolizes the full user view. The HoloLens is markedly different: it is a transparent series of screens–three, to be exact–that project three-dimensional images into the world around you. It’s a trick of the light on the back of your eyeballs: the three screens project red, green, and blue light onto your retina and trick your brain into believing those objects exist in reality.

The HoloLens is designed to augment the world around you, not transport you to another world. And this is where Microsoft is banking on not competing directly with VR goggles such as the Oculus Rift, placing them into another category all their own. In fact, Microsoft is carefully avoiding the term “augment”, perhaps so that the device is not likened to Google Glass (which relied heavily on the term in their market positioning).

This month’s HoloLens media frenzy relayed to us fantastical use cases demonstrated by Microsoft as proof-of-concept, so fantastical that they seemed to have been ripped from BLADE RUNNER. Constructing our own three-dimensional objects and bringing them to life with a 3D printer. Turning our living room into a stage that’s host to a MINECRAFT-inspired game experience. Repairing a sink pipe with the help of your far-flung dad through a live Skype video. Missions to Mars where you can explore the landscape with a live NASA astronaut that were so real they nearly left the press in awe after a trial run.

A Deck Stacked Against the HoloLens

Despite the exciting vision, we don’t always believe what we see.

It began with the live-streamed press announcement. On January 21, Microsoft executives paraded out onto the stage in attire customary of “next generation” technology announcements: fitted long-sleeve t-shirts, dark colors, white-edged sneakers. With bravado they each announced a series of new products presented as life changing. In front of glowing screens displaying the Windows 10 logo they expertly navigated well-rehearsed, press-friendly speeches designed for rousing applause and cheers.

Instead, after each product announcement, you could hear the hesitation and skepticism in the delayed and sparse clapping. Mobile announcements, OneDrive, Windows 10–reserved reactions. Surely the big bang at the end would get them standing on their feet? I held my breath as Alex Kipman, the inventor behind the Kinect, took the stage. His enthusiastic wind-up to the moment. The polished promotional video for the HoloLens, contrasting a world where technology is compartmentalized and then where it is integrated, replaced the Windows 10 logo on the stage’s screens.

And then a brief silence, almost like the audience was asking itself a question after watching their first glimpse of the HoloLens. “Is this for real? Can I trust what I see?” The question hung in the air between the end of the video and the reserved applause that trickled in.

No hoots and hollers. Barely one or two short whistles. A sea of reservation from the press. Why? Perhaps it was the fact that a group of professional technology analysts and critics were in attendance instead of enthusiastic consumers.

Is the Kinect a foreshadow of the HoloLens’s demise?

We who use technology as a lifestyle have a short memory: we might have forgotten the promise and the fall of Microsoft’s Kinect over the last five years where the press has not forgotten. Any new technology that’s sold as a revolutionary category on its own is often met with trepidation–especially one that has so much dramatic promise.

The story of the Kinect casts a shadow of doubt in the days after the HoloLens’s announcement. It captured our imaginations with an early promotional video in 2009 that promised an intensely interactive experience: being able to interact with objects in the game, intimately tracking body movement for a game of soccer, tracking facial recognition to interact with the player, turning the player’s limbs into the remote control.

We’ve learned that if it seems too good, it probably is. The reality of the Kinect did not live up to its expectations: it has a limited tracking range, cannot decipher movement to the degree necessary, and only seems to work for facial recognition. No wonder the press is so hesitant, especially considering it came from the same inventor and the same company as the HoloLens.

The Future ‘Ain’t Now: A Long Road Ahead

Microsoft and the press both admit that there is still a long road ahead before it’s commercially viable. Though the technology seems to work, it worked in a controlled demonstration environment. Trained aides were on hand to guide demos. A living room was set up specifically for the interactive MINECRAFT gaming experience. Reporters shared that they had to be ginger with using the headset, and the power pack was awkwardly hung from the user’s neck. (Microsoft representatives were sure to let the press know that this was all a temporary solution.)

For the HoloLens to be a market success, Microsoft will need to proceed with caution and release the product at just the right time. Too soon, the HoloLens might not be able to live up to its promise and doomed to failure. Consumers expect the experience that they were promised, and if it’s not out-of-the-box ready, they will be quick to move on. Releasing the technology too late might allow it to live up to its technological promises but the market may be crowded with augmented reality competitors, or perhaps consumers will be tired of waiting and have moved on entirely.

The current projected estimation is “in the lifetime of Windows 10”. That is a wide-open window, but perhaps it’s better to give Microsoft the space and time for them to perfectly forge their vision that has left a positive if not skeptical impression. If executed properly, it could be the new face of the personal computer, potentially phasing out laptops used away from the office.

Do you think Microsoft is on the brink of a new computing revolution or is the HoloLens too big a vision to be a reality?

]]>http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/microsoft-hololens/feed/0What CES 2015 Revealed About the Future of Gaminghttp://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/what-ces-2015-revealed-about-the-future-of-gaming/
http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/what-ces-2015-revealed-about-the-future-of-gaming/#commentsMon, 26 Jan 2015 23:10:04 +0000http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/?p=27935The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is an annual electronics industry trade show held in Las Vegas. Thousands converge to test and report on the latest [...]

]]>The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is an annual electronics industry trade show held in Las Vegas. Thousands converge to test and report on the latest gadgetry. A bellwether for the pace of technological innovation, CES attendees are hungry to see what’s hot and new.

A busy CES show floor.

CES is not exactly a hotbed for electronic gaming as that industry has its own event in E3. However, gaming software is only made possible by hardware: it’s worth looking at what technology is breaking through the noise and enhancing our gaming experiences.

Virtual Reality

The future of gaming is on our face and bringing us closer to the action: virtual reality devices stormed CES 2015. Every major visualization hardware producer seems to be jumping into the personal virtual reality headset market–thanks to the door that Oculus Rift has been opening.

Samsung, better known for their TVs and mobile phones, has created a viable and affordable virtual reality contender in its Gear VR. Those who have demoed it are impressed with its responsiveness.

Samsung Galaxy VR, in partnership with Oculus Rift.

Though the hardware was produced in partnership with Oculus Rift, the brains of the device are in the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. (Great if you’re already a Galaxy Note 4 owner, not so great otherwise as the phone is known to be pricey.) In fact, the screen is the Galaxy Note 4. The lack of compatible software might turn away casual buyers but Oculus and Samsung are hoping developers get on board with their mobile VR development kit.

Yup, you’re gonna need a phone for that.

Gaming hardware developer Razer is on a mission to standardize virtual reality hardware and software. Its OSVR (Open Source Virtual Reality) Hacker Development Kit is being touted as “Android for virtual reality”. If it succeeds, it could unite a very disparate market of VR developers and producers. The kit comes with the head-mounted display and adjustable lenses to minimize distortion. In addition to the software development kit, it also comes with specs on how to 3D print additional head-mounted displays.

Razer OSVR Headset

Here’s a VR device that’s not “yet another head-mounted display”: the Virtuix Omni is a treadmill that gives virtual reality another dimension. Gamers can run in any direction thanks to the 360-degree pad and protective harness.

One fearless individual reported that it felt like running on a waxed floor in socks, and a little like the Scooby-Doo gang trying to escape a baddie. It’s another degree of immersion once you get used to the unusual sensation.

Biometrics for Self-Improvement

Biometrics–your personal health data–has been being tracked by wearable technology since the early twentieth century. What makes it different going forward is how accurately we’re tracking the data and how its applied to improving health.

FitBit, Nike FuelBand, JawBone, and other technologies are no strangers to the consumer electronics market. But they have been criticized for not accurately tracking data accurately, being too complicated, or breaking too easily.

However, the Alpha2′s most notable takeaway for gamers is its third-party app syncing capability. Sending GPS and heart rate data to other apps is not a capability competitors like Fitbit currently support. Just imagine: hyper-accurate heart rate data being able to affect health games synced to other mobile devices. It might not happen as soon as 2015, but it’s coming.

Consider the rise in casual gaming and those focused on mental health, developed using brain research. Games that can be played in minutes a day and improve focus, mental dexterity, memory, and how we move are often reaching the top of the App Store rankings.

Muse Brain Sensing Headband

The Muse Brain Sensing Headband’s aspiration is to “reduce stress, improve focus, and increase concentration in as little as 3 minutes per day”. The product claims to measure your brainwaves as you play games the same way as a heart rate monitor measures your pulse.

A few game previews show a “brain activity” graph and points earned. One milestone reward is an accurate model of your brain that will unlock advanced app features. Early reviews on Amazon are mostly positive with an average score of 4.5 out of 5. Most users state that they feel rested, calm, and it has helped improve their meditation routine. Negative reviews universally criticize the inconsistent connectivity to third-party devices such as the iPad. Perhaps the next release will fix those pesky connectivity bugs. With the Muse Brain Sensing Headband costing $300, you might want to hold out a little longer.

Multidevice Gameplay

Smartphones are getting smarter. TVs are getting smarter. All of our gaming devices are getting smarter. So isn’t it finally time they’re all talking to each other?

Razer thinks so. The gaming hardware producer announced at CES 2015 its Forge TV, an entertainment hub targeting hardcore Android TV gamers. Pundits believe it will trounce Google Nexus Player, a competing device that will be more built for streaming media than gaming. Some are anticipating it to be the perfect way to enjoy PC games on your big-screen television.

The Forge TV will contain more internal storage and pack a stronger punch than the Nexus Player. Gamers will even be able to play monster-big games like Titanfall with ease. If Forge TV is paired with the Razer Cortex: Stream, gamers will be able to stream directly from their PC to the TV for a more enjoyable experience.

Razer Forge TV is one little sleek gaming setup.

The Forge TV will be able to stream media such as Netflix, though most have their eye on the powerful little set-top box for its gaming capabilities.

No more huddled over your laptop or sitting at a table. Grab the comfortable corner of the couch and enjoy the big screen.

Geolocation

Why stop at measuring your body’s internal data? Thanks to GPS technology, keeping track of our physical location has become a critical component of our everyday life. Over half of smartphone users access directions through their GPS.

Mobile GPS-based games have been growing in popularity for over a decade. Geocaching was among the earliest, using dedicated geolocation devices to share landmarks and plant clues that lead to a stashed surprise. Google’s Ingress even built an alternate-reality game around geographical exploration: join a force and use your phone to capture “energy” at key landmarks. It’s like a tech-driven game of Capture the Flag.

A creative visualization of Google Ingress.

Famed game hardware producer Razer has announced the Nabu X, a “social wearable smartband”. The profile looks similar to a Fitbit with a sleek, low-profile design. Biometrics come standard, of course: it pairs with third-party fitness apps to measure steps walked, distance traveled, hours slept, and so on.

But why is Razer, a game hardware company, competing in the wearables market? They’re hoping to tap into another dimension of social gaming. To start, they’re offering the ability to be paired with other nearby Nabu wearers who may have similar interests such as a compatible library of Valve Steam games. Gamers will be able to exchange their gaming stats. But Razer is banking on the hope that third-party developers will create multiplayer games that will take the device to another dimension of usability.

Razer Nabu X has a simple interface with three lights for different notifications.

The Razer Nabu X launched late 2014 to very little fanfare. In its current condition it’s another fitness band with notification capabilities. However, the gaming angle could launch this into a whole different product category on its own. I don’t envision gamers using it for its current data-sharing connectivity but perhaps with an innovative game that is pure GPS.

The lack of a screen could be a plus for location-based gaming. As an Ingress player, I find the screen to be distracting from the in-world experience. If physical location and our surroundings are a critical part of a GPS-based game, I do not want to be lost in my mobile device. The vibrational notifications could alert players to key locations. Variables such as time and distance might come into play when visual indicators are limited.

It’s clear that gaming hardware and software companies are taking notice of the ubiquity of GPS and finding creative ways to create new alternate-reality gaming experiences, even if hardware companies are slow on the uptake.

]]>Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove, the 11th installment in the Mystery Case Files series, is available today for PC and Mac, and releasing on Thursday, November 27th on smartphones and tablets. The Mystery Case Files series is Big Fish’s most popular hidden object adventure game franchise, with over 53 million downloads across all platforms. Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove was developed in partnership with third-party game developer Elephant Games.
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Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove is an exciting continuation of the Mystery Case Files series, where players are tasked with finding hidden objects that they can use later in the game to continue the story and solve the game’s numerous mysteries. While the game presents players with fan-favorite content, including a return to Dire Grove and a variety of beloved game play features, Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove also includes some fantastic new innovations! Players are able to pick a gender for their character, something new to the Mystery Case Files line. Also new is the use of an innovative deduction mechanic to discover the secret behind Dire Grove’s curse. Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove also includes an alternate ending with an exciting twist, increasing player immersion and replayability. These exciting new innovations, paired with features Mystery Case Files fans have come to expect and love, ensure a satisfying gameplay experience for new and existing Mystery Case Files fans!

Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove’s story:

In this 10th Mystery Case Files installment, Dire Grove has been plunged into a record cold, and wild animals threaten at every turn. As the leading Mystery Case Files detective, you’ve been called to uncover the source of the town’s troubles and quickly find yourself in the middle of a feud between the local hunters and the mysterious mistwalkers who live in the woods.

]]>E3 (the Electronic Entertainment Expo) is the event for all electronic gaming launches on the horizon. Unlike gaming conventions like Penny Arcade Expo (PAX), E3 is locked down and restricted to industry only. It hasn’t even been a decade since a gamer outside the industry could slip in by knowing someone who knows someone at a game company. E3 started cracking down on fandom attendance to get it back to its insider industry roots.

It’s tough as nails to get in without knowing the right people. That said, gamers must be content sitting on the Internet sidelines, waiting for E3 news to trickle out of their browsers. Googling “E3 news” can return an overwhelming number of updates. Who has time for that? Fear not: I have compiled my picks for puzzle and adventure announcements plus disappointing shortfalls.

Girls Rule Hyrule: You can finally play as Zelda or Midna

Finally. FINALLY. Nintendo confirmed that HYRULE WARRIORS will allow you get to hold the sword (or bow and arrow, as it were) as Zelda or Midna as you fight with your allies Link and Impa through the Hyrulian battlefields. HYRULE WARRIORS is a collaboration between Tecmo Koei Games and the Legend of Zelda team that promises the tactical, over-the-top army battles as seen in Dynasty Warriors. It might not be a walk through the Kokiri Forest, but our Princess needs no saving this time around.

Gameplay will allow for two players simultaneously, utilizing a combination of the WiiU controller and traditional television play. This is another opportunity for Nintendo to flex their WiiU chops and see what a third-party developer can do with the new multifunctional controller. Hopefully this partnership will invite more developers to create games for the WiiU platform–which means the rest of us will get in on more gaming goodness.

Lara Croft takes on Egyptian Gods in puzzle co-op

Developer Crystal Dynamics took a bet on–and won–developing 2010′s Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, a smart puzzle-action-adventure game. Fans were pleasantly rewarded with the announcement of the next in the third-person cooperative series with Lara Croft and the Tomb of Osiris (release date to be announced).

This new contender will have its work cut out for the series, as Guardian of Light returned with a high Metacritic score of 85 out of 100. Initial play trials at E3 2014 sound promising – being able to play four-person co-op as Lara, her rival Carter Bell, God Horus, or Goddess of the Sun Isis, clever puzzles and action sequences have reported a positive experience.

Keep your eyes peeled for the title on PC, Xbox One, and PS4.

The Queen of Adventure takes her throne

A trailer opens to a therapist talking to a hooded figure. He narrates how a young woman’s life should unfold–hobbies, activities, learning–as the video cuts to her struggling in another world. Hanging off of cliff edges. Running from a giant bear. Gazing off into a dramatic landscape.

Lara Croft is ready to return to action after her first harrowing trial in the gritty Rise of the Tomb Raider. The successor to 2013′s simply titled Tomb Raider will continue Lara’s story as we see her take the reigns and become the explorer we were introduced to over 20 years ago.

The Rise of the Tomb Raider release date is “Holiday 2015″.

Can I get a Witness?

Being the atmospheric puzzle-adventure fan that I am, I was surprised that news for Thekla, Inc’s The Witness was–well–news to so many. Yeah, of course this is going to be beautiful. Of course this is going to break gaming conventions. Of course this will sweep the player away to another world where you will return feeling transformed (or at least a little inspired).

Recounts of play-throughs returned overwhelmingly positive. The game is promising to be just as smart as it is beautiful. Unlike some puzzle games, players can take the path of their choosing; if a player gets stumped they can explore another area of the mysterious island. Seemingly innocuous details begin to build and take on a life of their own as the player uncovers the story.

Jonathon Blow and his team set out to create great puzzles and ultimate freedom in this indie title set to launch on Playstation4 later this year.

E3 Shortfalls

It’s not all sunshine and moonbeams in the mecca of gaming. Here are a few glaring omissions from this year’s extravaganza.

It’s quiet in Square Enix’s Kingdom

The fan-favorite Kingdom Hearts franchise released their last hit eight years ago–no surprise that the E3 2013 announcement of Kingdom Hearts 3 stole the show. Gamers’ appetites were thoroughly whetted after a teaser trailer that promised the game was in production.

However, the famous Disney x Square Enix mashup was mysteriously missing from this year’s E3. Not even a brief trailer. Nada. Nothing. Perhaps Square is holding out to share more details on their home turf, the Tokyo Game Show. Us stateside will be waiting patiently at our computers and excited to see what the latest gaming advancements will do for the Kingdom. Whenever you’re ready, Square.

The Last Guardian continues to stay in hiding

It’s been a long five years for Sony adventure game fans. Ico and Shadow of the Colossus successor The Last Guardian was announced in 2009 to great fanfare and excitement.

It’s turning out to be a slow-drip development process for Sony President of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida, who obviously wants to give this baby the care and attention it deserves before landing on PlayStation 4. But at this rate, who knows if it will see the light of day before PlayStation 5 – the latest news came in October 2013 that Yoshida was “reengineering” the game following a departure of its original creator, Fumito Ueda.

If The Last Guardian will be as amazing as the available screenshots look and give me as many goosebumps as Shadow of the Colossus delivered, then it will be worth one–perhaps two–more E3′s. And we will welcome it with tired arms that have been held open for over five years.

Assassin’s Creed: Unitycame under fire for not including a woman in their action co-op’s cast of four playable protagonists. The developer explained that the production budget could not accommodate designing a different build.

Do not be discouraged: as we see more discussion about female representation from the gaming community, we will see more women making inroads into the industry. We’re on the cusp of change, fellow gamer ladies.

Which E3 announcements are you excited about? Shout them out in the comments below!

]]>http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/e3-2014-puzzle-adventure-games/feed/0Virtual Reality in Your Living Room: A Glimpse into the Future of Video Gameshttp://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/virtual-reality-in-your-living-room-a-glimpse-into-the-future-of-video-games/
http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/virtual-reality-in-your-living-room-a-glimpse-into-the-future-of-video-games/#commentsThu, 05 Jun 2014 18:14:59 +0000http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/?p=25697Video games are a constantly evolving medium, growing and changing in response to the technological advancements around us. Through such innovation and the ambitious vision [...]

]]>Video games are a constantly evolving medium, growing and changing in response to the technological advancements around us. Through such innovation and the ambitious vision of industry pioneers, a number of developers are actively redefining the landscape of gaming, expanding the boundaries of what video games are and what they could be. A couch and a controller may be gamers’ primary instruments now, but the tools of the trade may soon get a futuristic upgrade with the inclusion of virtual reality headsets.

Companies like Oculus VR and Sony are spearheading the conquest of science fiction turned science fact with devices that immerse players into digital worlds like never before. The Oculus Rift and Sony’s rival device dubbed Project Morpheus seek to add an entirely new dimension to the world of video games… And so far, it’s rather impressive.

Specs and Speculation: Tapping into 3D Gamers’ Imaginations

Arguably similar in style and functionality, both prototypes utilize high-definition 1080p displays complete with motion tracking and stereoscopic sound capability. While the Rift’s OLED screen has an advantage over Project Morpheus’s LCD counterpart including a slightly larger field of vision, Sony’s all-around headset tracking may be more accurate and responsive than the Rift’s front-and-side-only LED tracking points. It’s difficult to determine which device will win the crown of VR supremacy considering both the Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus are still unavailable to the general public, but that hasn’t stopped a number of developers from putting the gadgets to the test in creative new ways.

For example, 3D video expert Oliver Kreylos has successfully managed to transport his body into a fully-realized virtual environment with the use of an Oculus Rift and three Microsoft Kinects. With no shortage of ingenuity, this Holodeck is just the tip of the iceberg for Morpheus and the Rift. The Deep, a shark attack experience created with Project Morpheus is another testament to the possibilities of virtual reality in gaming; thrusting players into a suspenseful Jaws-like scenario complete with a menacing Great White Shark.

What Will the Future Hold?

With an impressive a showcase of what these VR headsets can do, it’s hard to imagine the video game community not taking notice. Not to mention, with industry titan Sony entering the running, there is a good chance that other companies will begin to explore the possibilities of virtual reality as well. What is currently somewhat of an obscure departure from traditional industry trends, VR could very well turn into a viable avenue for mainstream game and console development especially considering the promising price points.

In the words of Oculus Rift creator Palmer Luckey, “We’re not looking to make a rich person’s toy.” PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida also echoed a sentiment aimed toward affordability explaining that Sony often prices its gaming hardware lower than other non-gaming devices, and that this trend will continue with Project Morpheus. A push toward new technology, innovation, and accessibility could very well revolutionize how we play video games in the near future. We are one step closer to having virtual reality in our living rooms and it all starts with the Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus.

]]>http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/virtual-reality-in-your-living-room-a-glimpse-into-the-future-of-video-games/feed/0Square Enix Knocks It Out of the Park at E3!http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/square-enix-knocks-it-out-of-the-park-at-e3/
http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/square-enix-knocks-it-out-of-the-park-at-e3/#commentsFri, 05 Jul 2013 21:10:18 +0000http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/?p=19014The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is notable within the gaming community as the celebration of all celebrations, the pinnacle of shock, awe, and utter anticipation [...]

]]>The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is notable within the gaming community as the celebration of all celebrations, the pinnacle of shock, awe, and utter anticipation for the entire year. Tightlipped industry bigwigs spill it all in glorious fashion while diehard onlookers sit eyes glued on their television screens or computer monitors. E3 is truly a spectacle for both spectators and attendees, industry exhibitors and corporate innovators. Yet gaming publishers and developers bear the brunt of the attention, with opinionated critics and media personnel quick to cast the stone of disapproval. Companies like Square Enix will not be on the epic fail list however, their stellar showing of fan favorites and series newcomers had enough gusto to satiate their enormous fan base while enticing newcomers to their camp at E3 2013.

Capitalizing on the sheer electricity of the next generation console announcements, Square supplemented the charge with their own long-anticipated reveals. Initiating rousing applause, Square entered the Sony press conference with a slew of crowd-pleasers, most notably Kingdom Hearts 3. More than seven years since the release of its trilogy predecessor Kingdom Hearts 2, the brief teaser trailer for the next-gen installment made it clear that Square Enix had not forgotten our pleas. The intermediate titles within the franchise while entertaining and purposeful from a narrative point of view, left the fans wanting more. The announcement of KH3 rekindled those bubbly sentiments of admiration, but now, with a silent guarantee that the game is actually in production.

Not to be outdone by the Disney RPG fusion, Final Fantasy XV made an appearance with a brand new title and impressive gameplay showcase. Hidden in secrecy since May of 2006, many within the gaming community began to doubt that the action RPG would even make it to store shelves. Capitalizing on the thematic allure of surprise, Square Enix countered their fans’ premises of uncertainty with sheer gaming glory. Not only is Final Fantasy XV officially on its way to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, it’s coming in the style and trimmings that we simply expect from Square Enix; fluid graphics, ambitious combat moves, and radically stylish character designs.

Adding to the most established franchises, Lightning’s Return: Final Fantasy XIII-3, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, Thief 4, and new IP Murdered: Soul Suspect, filled Square’s show flow lineup with an assortment of playable demos and hands-off theater viewings. Lightning’s Return showcased a newly designed battle system boasting a balanced blend of old and new, Final Fantasy XIV showed off its optimized control scheme for the console in an epic 8-player team battle against the fire beast Ifrit, Thief 4 highlighted the stealthier side of Square’s repertoire with shadowy sleuthing and silent takedowns, while Murdered : Soul Suspect introduced mystery and detective work into the selection with supernatural aesthetics and unique gameplay mechanics.

Paired with the inclusion of HD remakes and remastered editions, newbies to the world of Square Enix as well as seasoned veterans have a multitude of goodies to talk about within Square’s upcoming releases. Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMIX, Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director’s Cut represent three opportunities for gamers re-experience a favorite series, or to discover the game for the first time in fully-fledged high definition graphics.

As a long time supporter of Square Enix, but also a ravenous critic of their recent exploits, I was pleasantly surprised by the assortment of titles, announcements, and opportunities to test the goods at E3 2013. We can only hope that games currently in development live up to their thrilling debuts and are able to captivate the players upon release as they did during their E3 reveals. Propelled by fan service, the bar was set atop a mountain of giddy anticipation, one that Square Enix will hopefully bring to fruition over the next coming months and years.

]]>http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/square-enix-knocks-it-out-of-the-park-at-e3/feed/0Orchestras that Play Video Game Musichttp://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/orchestras-that-play-video-game-music/
http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/orchestras-that-play-video-game-music/#commentsWed, 12 Dec 2012 14:20:08 +0000http://www.bigfishgames.com/blog/?p=12174Are you a fan of epic video game soundtracks? To some gamers, the music in the game is just as captivating as the gameplay and plot. While a video game's soundtrack can add to immersion (ever play a great Mystery game with spooky music?), there has been a growing number of ways to experience the music on its own.

]]>Are you a fan of epic video game soundtracks? To some gamers, the music in the game is just as captivating as the gameplay and plot. While a video game’s soundtrack can add to immersion (ever play a great Mystery game with spooky music?), there has been a growing number of ways to experience the music on its own.

“The composer, Nobuo Uematsu, decided early on he would write light motifs for each character, so you have some of the basic themes that have been with us for 25 years,” said Arnie Roth, music director of the Final Fantasy concert series, who was quoted in the article. “As the data capabilities increased, he was able to graduate to full-orchestra tracks.”

While the latest performance occurred in Ohio, orchestras play the concert series worldwide. Following the August 25 show, the composition will be performed in London on November 2, Australia on November 25 and many other locations throughout the year. The next time the concert comes to the United States will be in Chicago (December 7 – mark your calendars). The Chicago event will be something special because it is the only official 25th anniversary performance to happen in North America.

The program includes an orchestral performance of “One-Winged Angel” from Final Fantasy VII, and several musical themes common throughout the series, including “Swing De Chocobo” and the franchise’s iconic victory fanfare. Fun fact: Many of the Latin lyrics for “One-Winged Angel” come from Carl Orff’s 1930s composition “Carmina Burana.”

The sound of (video game) musicFinal Fantasy isn’t the only game franchise that has drawn the attention of professional performers. There’s an entire orchestra dedicated to playing modern arrangements of video game music. The group has performed at several venues since its first show in 2008, including the video game expo PAX East in 2010.

There’s also “Video Games Live,” a game-themed concert that continues to tour worldwide. Video Games Live features a wide selection of music from the early arcade game Pong to the more recent first-person shooter Halo.

“Whether it’s the power and passion of the more recent blockbusters or the excitement of remembering the sentimental classics you played growing up, Video Games Live will truly be a special night to remember,” the VGL website states. “Meet and bond with new friends as you help to celebrate a pastime which has truly evolved into our culture. Even if you have never played a video game you’ve never heard or seen an orchestral performance quite like this. [The] show includes synchronized performances of the music, video and specially designed special fx & light sequences showcasing over 60 different games in a wide variety of styles.”

The full “Video Games Live” experience offers more than just music. The multimedia concert features video footage synchronized with game sound. Some of the segments also include live stage performances, complete with synchronized light shows. Oh, and there’s also a pre-performance festival that gives visitors an opportunity to meet composers and game developers.

It’s a pretty interesting time to be a gamer. Not just because games are fun, but also because groups are starting to find whole new ways to enjoy them. Between music and art inspired entirely from video games, there has been a growing number of ways for even non-gamers to enjoy the wonderful world of gaming. So, if you find yourself trying to explain your love of video games to a friend who doesn’t play, why not introduce him or her to a few orchestral soundtracks?

]]>Video games have reached significant milestone, according to a recent Smithsonian blog post. No, Hidden Object games haven’t achieved sentience (yet). Our beloved form of entertainment has hit the big 4-0. That’s right – playing video games as a form of home entertainment turned 40 years old on approximately August 29. So, bring out the birthday cake, candles and a few online games to celebrate!

Video games have come a long way in the past few decades, so let’s take a moment and think about where it all began. Many people believe the first home video game to be Pong for the Atari, but the blog post pointed out that a table tennis game for the Magnavox Odyssey predated the popular game by a couple years, making the launch of the Odyssey the first official home video game system.

PCWorld celebrated the Odyssey’s birthday by taking the video game system apart and analyzing some of the components. The system launched in 1972 and cost around $99, or approximately $548 in today’s money. You may be able to get a decent computer with that kind of money these days, but the old video game platform did have one thing going for it that most of today’s systems don’t – the Odyssey came with 12 games! However, playing those 12 games may have been somewhat complicated – the old system didn’t function like today’s gaming powerhouses do.

“Unlike modern game consoles, the Odyssey does not contain a computer,” the article stated. “Instead, it generates images based on discrete circuitry that directly manipulates the video signal going to the TV set. Each game uses different parts of the circuitry …The system shipped with six cards. Each card acts as a series of on/off jumpers or connecting wires that essentially programs the console to operate in a certain way.”

Well, with that description, it’s pretty easy to see why it took a decade or three for video games to catch on. It’s easy enough to lose pieces of a board game. Imagine losing one of those gaming cards. Despite the seemingly complex nature of playing it, the Odyssey was pretty successful, selling 330,000 units worldwide, according to PCWorld. Not to mention the fact that one of its games inspired Pong. The rest, as they say, is history.